Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta will not be following the lead of Quebec and Manitoba on vaccine passports.

Quebec intends to bring in the passports, beginning in September, for anyone wanting to visit non-essential businesses in parts of the province where the COVID-19 rate is high.

Manitoba has been issuing proof-of-immunization cards to residents who are two weeks past their second shot.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been very clear from the beginning that we will not facilitate or accept vaccine passports,B次元官网网址� Kenney told reporters at his annual Calgary Stampede pancake breakfast Monday.

B次元官网网址淚 believe they would in principle contravene the Health Information Act and also possibly the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.B次元官网网址�

Kenney replied B次元官网网址測esB次元官网网址� when asked if Alberta would speak up if the federal government attempted to bring in the passports.

Kenney noted Alberta also amended its Public Health Act to remove a 100-year-old power allowing the government to force people to be inoculated. B次元官网网址淭hese folks who are concerned about mandatory vaccines have nothing to be concerned about,B次元官网网址� he said.

Hundreds of people attended the breakfast. But the shadow of COVID-19 hung over the event. Gone were lineups watching food being prepared on the grill. Instead, containers with pancakes and eggs already dished up were handed out.

B次元官网网址淎re you having a good Stampede? Are you happy Alberta is open for summer and that Alberta will be open for good?B次元官网网址� Kenney asked the cheering crowd.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e proud to be hosting the first major event in Canada with the Stampede as we emerge from the pandemic.B次元官网网址�

There were also jeers and chants from about a dozen protesters opposed to AlbertaB次元官网网址檚 vaccination program and the lockdowns that were put in place during the height of the pandemic.

One sign had photos of Kenney and Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro with the words: B次元官网网址淎lbertaB次元官网网址檚 Most Wanted B次元官网网址� For Crimes Against Humanity.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 unfortunate that we have a loud, but very small minority, who are spreading misinformation about the safety of vaccines. Let me be clear about this: these people are trying to spread fear and misinformation that could ultimately cost lives,B次元官网网址� said Kenney.

Alberta has administered more than four million doses, said the premier, who added that about 700 people have had adverse effects which were mostly minor.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had one death,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淓very death is tragic, but itB次元官网网址檚 one death from a vaccine adverse outcome as opposed to 2,400 COVID-19 deaths.B次元官网网址�

The premier said he would like to see 80 per cent of eligible Albertans receive the vaccine, but estimated about 10 per cent will refuse no matter what.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press